Socio-Political Displacement in Ben Binebai's Drums of the Delta, Storms of Ogori and My Life in the Burning Creeks

Abstract

Drums of the Delta, Storms of Ogori, and My Life in the Burning Creeks. Despite scholarly attention to displacement, it remains underexplored in Binebai's works, particularly in relation to the Niger Delta region. This article employs a critical analysis of the texts, examining narrative strategies and stylistic devices used by Binebai to portray the human cost of socio-political displacement. The
study reveals the intricate relationships between power, identity, and belonging, highlighting the devastating effects of displacement on individuals, communities, and the environment. Thus the study applied Adam G. Lichtenheld's theory of displacement which relates to dynamics of forced movement and its impacts. This framework robustly underscores the interplay of colonial legacies, environmental devastation, and marginalized voices in the Niger Delta. Binebai's works vividly depict instability, violence, and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities of political displacement and its farreaching consequences. By situating the texts within the context of the Niger Delta people's struggle,
this study underscores the signicance of Binebai's works in representing marginalized communities.